03/03, 1:29pm

Revenue from iOS makes up 10 percent of gross revenue, UBS claims

Being the default search engine option in iOS is such an important position that losing it could cost Google around 10 percent of its gross annual revenue, according to a new analysis by investment bank UBS. The advertising giant is at risk to lose upwards of $8 billion if it should lose the default search engine position, a real possibility with the deal between Google and Apple coming up for renewal. Investors are worried that Apple will refuse to renew the arrangement.

12/18, 11:13pm

Judge concerned about 'speculative nature of the damages'

US District Judge Beth L. Freeman ruled on Thursday that she requires the plaintiffs, Gary Feitelson and Daniel McKee, in a lawsuit against Google to submit more details. The two consumers allege that Android-based smartphone prices are being negatively impacted because manufacturers must agree to pre-load apps like the Google search app by default, instead of making deals with, for instance, Bing. The judge has said she would most likely dismiss the lawsuit as it stands, but is giving the plaintiffs a chance to revise it with additional evidence.

11/21, 5:42pm

Search separation proposal set to be finalized, voted on next week

The European Parliament is looking to break Google apart into multiple sections, according to a draft motion discovered by theFinancial Times. The proposal seeks to separate Google's "search engines from other commercial services," in an attempt to curb the power gained from being the most dominant search engine on the continent.

09/21, 10:40am

D-Link now shipping Wi-Fi Smart Plug

Network accessories company D-Link has announced that its new Wi-Fi Smart Plug is now shipping. Originally introduced in the spring, the device allows users to turn devices on and off from anywhere using the free Mydlink Home app, available for iOS as well as Android. A range of devices are compatible, allowing users to create power on/off schedules that are suitable for frequent travellers.

07/09, 12:33am

Google Search app now features fix option for voice recognition

Google Search's voice recognition has a new feature that aims to relieve the problem of misheard words. Prior to the update, users would need to restart their verbal search query if it was originally misheard by the app - now, the command "no I said" is in effect, meaning that the new search replaces just the one word that was incorrect. The update is available for both iOS and Android versions of Google Search.

06/23, 9:29am

Google Search on Android will offer streaming app links on music searches

Google has updated its search app on Android, changing the way it handles music-related queries. Results for songs and artists will now load up a list of links to streaming services, letting the user play that artist's music from within the relevant installed smartphone app, such as Spotify, Rdio, and Google Play Music. Google is rolling the feature out to Android devices in the United States now, and hopes to expand it globally soon.

05/24, 2:37am

Google Now for Android adds Reminders that can be created with voice commands

Google's reminder app, Google Now, has updated its Android version to include the ability to create reminders entirely through voice command. Previously, voice command was available for creating reminders, however a tap confirmation was required for finalization. Users can now say "yes" or "set" to finish the reminder. Google Now is available for free download.

02/06, 12:28pm

Music videos given more prominence in related searches

Google has made two updates to search, for desktops as well as its Android search app. Web-based Google searches will now more prominently display YouTube videos for searches using musical terms, while the Android search app introduces a number of Google Now tweaks, with the option to set specific on-demand and TV providers in the search settings being the biggest change.

04/25, 10:19am

Feedback requested on search labeling agreement

The European Commission has opened itself up to comments from Google's competitors, concerning how the search giant should display links to rival services next to its own. The feedback request comes after Google struck a deal with the EC to end its two-year antitrust investigation into its search practices, with the agreement including a number of concessions in search results and other products.

03/20, 1:04pm

Social news site does not appear in Google search

(Updated with Google response) Social news website Digg has disappeared from search listings on Google for reasons unknown. Searches for the site on the search engine appear with listings that refer to Digg, but nothing for Digg itself, with the extra search using the query "site:digg.com Digg" coming up without a single result, leading to speculation that it may have been de-indexed.

08/22, 1:57pm

Google adds saved search settings to accounts

Google has added a function that saves settings for its search engine. Preferences set for Google Search will be saved to the Google account, which in turn will automatically configure search on other browsers and web-enabled devices using the same account. Separate options for desktop and mobile search will allow for different configurations for each, all of which can be adjusted by selecting the cog symbol at the top of search results pages after logging in.

06/27, 5:11pm

Free two week course to educate users on effective searching

Google is accepting registrations for a free course on advanced search strategies. Power Searching with Google is being billed as a community-based online course to teach various Google Search tips and tricks to willing participants, which, according to the official Google Blog, will help solve many of its users' everyday problems.

02/24, 2:25pm

Provides events details under group's homepage

Music buffs checking out their favorite bands an artists with Google Search can now find out when they will next be performing on stage. Google's search engine will soon be displaying events for a group as part of the search results for their homepage. Initially this additional information will be included in English searches, but will be expanded to more countries over time.